Sheboygan
Yes
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
MILL CREEK
T14N R21E Sec. 5 Stream Length = 2.0 miles
Mill Creek is one of two major headwater tributaries to the Onion River, originating in the extreme northwest section of the town of Lyndon as a series of springs. The development of hatchery ponds and raceways on the two major feeder springs has reduced the water quality and eliminated natural reproduction in the brook trout population. Brown trout naturally reproduce in Mill Creek. Some portions of the stream are heavily silted. The fishery consists mainly of brook and brown trout, sucker and minnow populations. Mill Creek is classified as a Class II trout stream. The WDNR is currently working with local organizations to remove the hatchery ponds and raceways to restore the trout stream to its original condition. This will improve both the water quality and biological integrity of Mill Creek, resulting in one of the better trout stream in Sheboygan County.
WDNR personnel surveyed the stream downstream of County Highway “S” in August 2000. The fish community rated good with populations dominated by brown trout. Brook trout, brook stickleback and white sucker were also present. The stream habitat appeared to be in good condition with excellent buffer areas, stable banks, rocky substrate, and abundant fish cover.
Date 2001
Author Aquatic Biologist
Overview
MILL CREEK - T14N R21E Sec. 5, Stream Length = 2.0 miles.
Mill Creek is one of two major headwater tributaries to the Onion River, originating in the extreme northwest section of the town of Lyndon as a series of springs. The development of hatchery ponds and raceways on the two major feeder springs has reduced the water quality and eliminated natural reproduction in the brook trout population. Brown trout naturally reproduce in Mill Creek. Some portions of the stream are heavily silted. The fishery consists mainly of brook and brown trout, sucker and minnow populations. Mill Creek is classified as a Class II trout stream.
From: Galarneau, Steve and Masterson, John. 1999. Water Resources of the Sheboygan River Basin. Supplement to The State of the Sheboygan River Basin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 1999
Author Aquatic Biologist
General Condition
Mill Creek (WBIC 52700) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new biological (macroinvertebrate and fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores) sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.
Date 2017
Author Ashley Beranek
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
Monitoring Projects
WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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52700 | Mill Creek | 10029650 | Mill Creek at footbridge off Silver Spring Rd | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
52700 | Mill Creek | 10011288 | Mill Creek - Mill Creek at Cth S (167m Downstream) | | | Map | Data |
52700 | Mill Creek | 10011287 | Mill Creek - Mill Creek at Cth S (12m Upstream) | 10/11/2004 | 9/13/2021 | Map | Data |
52700 | Mill Creek | 10030872 | Mill Cr at 2nd footbridge off Silver Spring Rd | | | Map | Data |
52700 | Mill Creek | 10037978 | Mill Creek - first bridge upstream confluence with Ben Nutt Creek | 1/1/2015 | 7/25/2024 | Map | Data |
52700 | Mill Creek | 10008173 | Mill Creek | 11/14/2000 | 10/11/2004 | Map | Data |
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![](wsWaterEcosystem.ashx?watershed=SH04)
Watershed Characteristics
Mill Creek is located in the Onion River watershed which is 98.00 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (62.50%), grassland (17.40%) and a mix of forest (8.70%) and other uses (11.40%). This watershed has 132.85 stream miles, 143.10 lake acres and 5,098.92 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.